'Muslim ugrawadi,' 'bharwa': BJP MP abuses BSP MP in LS
What's the story
A massive row has erupted after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ramesh Bidhuri attacked and used highly objectionable language against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Danish Ali during a discussion on the Chandrayaan-3 mission in the Lok Sabha.
During his address on Thursday, Bidhuri referred to the BSP MP as a "Muslim ugrawadi" (Muslim terrorist), a "katwa" (circumcised), and a "bharwa" (pimp).
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Former health minister seen laughing at Bidhuri's comments
"Ye mulla aatankwadi hai, bahar pheko naa iss mulle ko (This cleric is a terrorist, throw this cleric outside)," the BJP leader was heard saying while pointing his finger at Ali in a now viral video.
While Bidhuri proceeded to make derogatory remarks about the BSP MP, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, a fellow saffron brigade leader and former Union health minister, could be seen laughing.
Twitter Post
You can watch Bidhuri's comments here
BJP MP @rameshbidhuri calling MP Danish Ali a “Bharwa” (pimp), “Katwa” (circumcised), “Mullah Atankwadi” & “Mullah Ugrawadi” ON RECORD in Lok Sabha last night.
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) September 22, 2023
Keeper of Maryada @ombirlakota Vishwaguru @narendramodi & BJP Prez @JPNadda along with GodiMedia- any action please? pic.twitter.com/sMHJqaGdUc
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Reaction to Bidhuri's comments
The shocking remarks caused widespread outrage among opposition leaders. Sharing a clip of the incident on X (formerly Twitter), Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra demanded strict action against Bidhuri.
Former Jammu and Kashmir CM and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah also criticized the BJP leader for his objectionable remarks, tweeting, "Hate against Muslims has been mainstreamed like never before."
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Check out Abdullah's post on X
“Bharwa” (pimp), “Katwa” (circumcised), “Mullah Atankwadi” (terrorist) & “Mullah Ugrawadi” (militant). How easily expletives roll off the tongue of this hateful “Hon” MP! Hate against Muslims has been mainstreamed like never before. How do Muslims who identify the BJP as their…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 22, 2023
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Saddened, but not surprised: RJD MP reacts to Bidhuri's comments
Speaking to the news agency ANI, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha stated, "I was saddened, but not surprised. This is the truth of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."
"We need to think that if such words were used for an MP in Parliament, then to what kind of language against Muslims and Dalits legitimacy been given?" he asked.
Twitter Post
You can watch Jha's comments here
#WATCH | RJD MP Manoj Jha on on 'terrorist', communal slurs by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri against BSP MP Danish Ali in Parliament
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2023
"I was saddened, but not surprised. This is the truth of PM's 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. We need to think that if such words were used for an MP in… pic.twitter.com/DlPq3iM3Mk
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Rajnath Singh's response amid row
Meanwhile, sources told PTI that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla warned Bidhuri of "strict action" if such behavior is repeated in the future.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his regret over the "objectionable" comments made by fellow BJP leader.
Singh, however, claimed he did not hear the words and urged the chair to strike them from the record. Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh, who was in the chair, stated he had already instructed officials to expunge the remarks.